Health Food
The concept of ‘health food’ is still a relatively new one in France but some specialist stores do exist. Naturalia is a chain of health food stores with 32 branches around the city offering gluten-free, lactose-free and organic pre-prepared foods, alongside healthy snacks, organic vegetables, vitamins, food supplements, and organic baby products and cosmetics. Bio (organic) cooperatives can also be found dotted around Paris’ 20 arrondissements, operating as organic and natural food grocery stores. These outlets are a bonus for those with food allergies or following strict vegan or vegetarian diets, as most restaurants can not be relied upon to accommodate special dietary requirements. Supermarkets and pharmacies will also stock a limited range of health foods, however much of this product is produced with the dieter – not the health food fan – in mind. For those seeking a dedicated health food supermarket, Les nouveaux Robinson has three locations on the outskirts of Paris, stocking a huge range of organic produce, cruelty-free cosmetics and even organic clothing.